Crimes of opportunity such as purse snatchings and car jackings are committed predominantly by those in the 20 and under age group.
They look for victims they believe will be easy targets.
Shopping malls and various retail outlets where you may encounter secluded areas or parking lots tend to attract perpetrators.
Alarms are effective in scaring off a potential attacker.
Some of these devices will put out a noise level of over 120 db.
If you are held from behind don't struggle forward, you'll only exhaust yourself.
Instead throw yourself backwards to surprise your attacker or stomp on the lower leg or foot.
You can also reach back and grab their genitals if necessary.
These are debilitating methods to make an attacker release you.
You have the right to defend yourself with reasonable force and this includes using items you have with you such as an umbrella, bag, briefcase or keys or even a non-lethal pepper spray or stun guns.
Once you've achieved your primary aim of stunning or surprising your attacker, get away as fast as you can.
If you manage to overcome them don't attack again, you could be putting yourself in more danger or you could end up being charged with assault.
Consider carrying pepper sprays, a stun gun, a stun baton, anything that can help you to be in control.
These are just the very basics of self-defense, but to learn more about it and get some exercise at the same time, find a local self-defense class and encourage your family along to join you.
Just remember "anticipation and avoidance" are the best forms of defense.